News & market updates

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) reported 1Q FY2026 PAT of LKR 4.6Bn (up 12% YoY) and completed the transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail portfolio—about 230,000 accounts and 343 staff—on 1 May 2026. NIM was 5.66%, EPS rose to LKR 13.72, and Tier 1 and total capital ratios were 17.31% and 18.41% respectively.

Sampath Bank posted PAT of Rs. 6.2 billion for 1Q 2026 on total operating income of Rs. 28.5 billion, with total assets crossing the Rs. 2 trillion mark. PAT fell 26% YoY due to Rs. 4.5 billion impairment charges and lower one-off gains, while NII rose 5% and loans grew by Rs. 127.5 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange was slightly higher midday Thursday — ASPI +0.04% (22,930) and S&P SL20 +0.11% (6,276). Top gainers included John Keells, Alumex, RIL Property and Lion Brewery while Sampath, Vallibel One, Hayleys and Malwatte fell; NDB reported a High Court order in a derivative action and Harischandra appointed four board members.

Sampath Bank reported PAT of Rs 6.2 Bn for Q1 2026, down 26% YoY mainly due to Rs 4.5 Bn of impairment provisions despite Total Operating Income of Rs 28.5 Bn and 5% NII growth. Total assets topped Rs 2.1 Tn with Rs 127.5 Bn loan growth; capital ratios remain above regulatory minima.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell as the ASPI dropped 104.80 points (0.46%) to 22,910.52. Top negatives were Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and HNB; Ceylon Tobacco declared a Rs34 dividend and Kapruka said it will inject Rs41,510,541 into its subsidiary to buy shares to fund electric delivery vehicles and working capital.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI -0.23% to 23,011.72 and S&P SL20 -0.30%, with turnover Rs.4.92bn and banks leading at Rs.3.04bn. Movers included Melstacorp, Hemas and CDB up while Ceylinco Insurance, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Colombo Dockyard fell; Laugfs Power commissioned a 2MW mini-hydro and ACME proposed a capital reduction (EGM Jun 11).

Sampath Bank Private Banking hosted an Iftar gathering at Cinnamon Life Colombo to engage private clients and strengthen relationships.

Opposition MP Faiszer Musthapha urged urgent action on widening financial security risks after a $2.5m Treasury phishing scam and a Rs.13.2bn theft linked to National Development Bank. He called for stronger cybersecurity, accountability and stricter bank supervision to protect investor confidence.

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000), opened its 62nd branch in Horana, expanding its islandwide network to 62 branches. The branch will offer leasing, fixed deposits, gold financing, loans and digital bill payments; Siyapatha holds a Fitch National Long-Term Rating of A(lka) (Stable).

Sampath Bank's wholly owned subsidiary Siyapatha Finance opened a new branch in Horana, expanding its islandwide network to 62 branches. The Horana branch will offer leasing, fixed deposits, gold financing, business loans and bill-payment services.

Sampath Bank PLC handed over a fully operational Material Recovery Facility in Batheegama, Dickwella under its 'A Breath to the Ocean' ocean-plastic reduction initiative. The community-owned facility, established with partners, empowers 384 women and aims to formalise local plastic collection and recycling.

ASPI fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584.30 as Middle East tensions dented sentiment; turnover was over Rs.2.1bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.42m. CINS, CTHR, HHL and SAMP were top negative contributors while COMB, LFIN, PKME, ACL, REEF, GRAN and JKH featured among active names.

CSE All Share Index fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.31% to 6,225 as brokers said Middle East escalation spurred retail selling. Bank counters saw selling, turnover was Rs 2.15bn with crossings in JKH, COMB, LLUB and LFIN, and Colombo Dockyard narrowed its quarterly loss to Rs 428.1m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 101.59 points (0.45%) to 22,593 as the Colombo Stock Exchange trended down. Melstacorp, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors while Hayleys and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives; market turnover was Rs.1.5bn and a merchant bank announced a Rs.999.12mn rights issue.

Sampath Bank appointed Dilshan Hettiaratchi as a Non-Executive Independent Director. He is a finance professional with over 30 years' experience, currently MD of Faber Capital and formerly head of Debt Capital Markets at Standard Chartered.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 0.47% and banks leading turnover at Rs.467 million. Nations Trust Bank completed the transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking (effective May 1), Beruwala Resorts will close May 1–Aug 30 for refurbishment, and Sampath Bank appointed an independent director.

Colombo posted its biggest monthly gain since July 2025, with the ASPI up 7% and the S&P SL20 up 5.1% in April, with average daily turnover of Rs.3.66bn. Yesterday the indices fell (ASPI -0.38% to 22,550) on losses in John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank amid net foreign outflows of Rs.75mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.37% to 22,552.24 midday, with plantations (Watawala, Sunshine, Namunukula among others) leading gains while John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank weighed on the index. Market turnover was Rs2bn; Abans Finance completed a debenture issue to raise Rs1.33bn.

Sampath Bank PLC launched a fully integrated AI-driven lending ecosystem on its Vishwa platform, enabling instant, paper-light loan approvals and faster SME and leasing credit decisions. The system uses automated assessments and external credit insights to speed approvals and reduce documentation requirements.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday with the ASPI +0.05% at 22,631.02 and S&P SL20 +0.22% at 6,243.14. Top contributors included Sampath, Commercial Bank and Ceylon Guardian, while Vallibel One and Janashakthi lagged; turnover was Rs2.2bn and Singer agreed to buy ACME's Piliyandala factory for Rs630mn.

Sampath Bank PLC has launched a fully integrated AI-driven lending ecosystem on its Vishwa platform, enabling paper-light, automated loan approvals and instant loan offers within seconds. The system also speeds SME, personal and commercial leasing decisions by using data-led credit assessments and simplified income models.

Sampath Bank’s proposed LKR10 billion Basel III-compliant subordinated green bond was assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)' by Fitch. The five- and seven-year bonds, which include a non-viability conversion clause, will be listed on the CSE to strengthen Tier 2 capital and finance green projects.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.28% to 22,676.60 midday, led by gains in ACL Cables, Commercial Bank and John Keells. Capital goods led turnover with ACL contributing 91.8 million rupees, and National Development Bank said INED Shanil Fernando resigned effective April 27.

The ASPI rose 0.20% (44.68 pts) to 22,612.31 as foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 242.25m; market turnover was nearly Rs. 3bn on 141m shares. Gains were led by CINS, DIAL, SAMP, CARS and DFCC, with food, beverage & tobacco leading turnover (25%) and capital goods plus real estate adding 25%.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.20% to 22,612 as retail-driven activity lifted the market. Listed energy firm WindForce said it entered a loan agreement with IFC to obtain up to $18 million in two phases.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher with the ASPI up 0.11% to 22,592 and the S&P SL20 up 0.13% to 6,212 on turnover of Rs 799 million. Sampath Bank and John Keells were among top gainers while NDB, Access Engineering and LB Finance led declines; Browns Beach Hotels to delist with trading suspended from April 28.

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

The EPF's listed equity portfolio rose 27% to Rs. 188.85 billion at end-2025. The fund cut holdings from 65 to 59, fully exited six counters (Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas, Sierra Cables) and added Hemas (40m shares); gains were led by banks and diversified stocks.

Sampath Bank Private Banking will be the Title Sponsor of the Royal Colombo Golf Club Monthly Medal Golf Tournament on 24–25 April 2026, marking its third consecutive year as title sponsor; the event will host over 300 players and features a Rs. 2 million Hole-in-One prize and Business Class return tickets to Singapore for overall winners.